SPRINGBANK star Paul McMahon is no longer part of Central Highlands Football League’s country championships calculations.

Springbank’s Paul McMahon has pulled out of the Central Highlands Football League’s country championships campaign.

McMahon had shown interest in representing the Highlanders for the first time in this month’s clash with Loddon Valley, but has pulled out with an ongoing ankle complaint and other personal commitments.

The Tigers gun has booted 29 goals so far this season to be second on the league goal-kicking charts behind Ballan’s Zac Peoples.

In response to the news, senior interleague coach Greg Middleton has added Newlyn forward Will Young to the squad.

Young is looming as the likely candidate to fill McMahon’s key forward role after a strong start to the campaign for his new club.

Middleton said Young’s form had warranted a call-up, which was backed by a further push from Beaufort veteran and likely interleague captain Damien Day, who played on the former Adelaide Crow last weekend.

“I get a lot of feedback from the players, obviously, and especially older guys that have been around and been involved in the league and know what’s required,” he said.

Middleton said he was happy with how the squad was coming together and while availability was an ongoing issue, he was happy to pick players that wanted to be there and were not forced to play.

McMahon is not the only big name that will be missing for the Highlanders on Saturday, May 24.

Waubra’s reigning league best and fairest Nick Sullivan is out with a knee injury, Daylesford gun Michael Cummings through ongoing injury concerns and Hepburn ace Andy McKay is not keen. Amongst others are Learmonth joint coach Brenton Powell and young Daylesford forward Seb Walsh, who both have other commitments.

All were part of the initial list of 50 players named by selectors in April. The final team will be named next Tuesday night.